NBA Player Power Rankings: Stars Getting Hot at Perfect Time

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Mar 13, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) shoots over Indiana Pacers forward Myles Turner (33) during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Pacers 104-75. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

18. Paul Millsap, Atlanta Hawks

Last Rank: No. 20

Position: Power Forward

Age: 31

Slash Line: .475/.308/.753

Season Averages: 32.5 MPG, 17.2 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 2.3 ORPG, 3.3 APG, 1.8 SPG, 1.5 BPG, 0.9 3PM

If you don’t quite understand the craze about Paul Millsap, it’s that he does just about everything at a high level. He isn’t elite in any one area of the game, but he has no true weakness as a player who can contribute high-caliber minutes at multiple positions, and in multiple schemes.

Some have called Millsap a system player, but that’s the opposite of the truth; he’s the type of player who would thrive in any system.

If you need Millsap to be a bruising interior force, he’ll put his shoulder down, extend his arms to the maximum length of his 7’2″ wingspan, and make an impact on both the offensive glass and the low post. If you want him to space the floor, he’ll face up from midrange and even knock down the 3-ball.

If you want him to be a defensive anchor or a facilitator, he can even excel in those surprising capacities.

Millsap is No. 2 in the NBA in Defensive Win Shares, and No. 4 in the NBA in Defensive Rating. He’s No. 17 in the NBA in Win Shares per 48 minutes, No. 13 in Win Shares, and one of the better power forwards in the game today.

Millsap’s versatility is close to impossible to find, and that’s what makes him such a special player.

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